Chapter 31

Chapter 31

 

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2008

 

Half Moon Bay to Santa Cruz 54 miles

 

That Pacific Ocean! I tell you it’s not to be messed with. I was woken in the night and you would swear a Tsunami was coming. The noise was fantastic and deafening! None of your lapping waves rocking you to sleep with whale voices and sea breezes. This was full on explosive! I swore it was thunder, AND the sea. The waves were BOOMING the beach. And it wasn’t a wave sound.. it was a constant ROAR! I thought about getting out of the tent to have a look , but I thought I could be one of those casualties that you hear about. You know! The guy went out to see the sea and was never seen again. The noise was deafening. Imagine my surprise the next day when there had been no storm or anything for that matter. Just another night on the Pacific.

 Anyway, I had breakfast with the group the next morning and they went off quietly. I think that’s the last I will see them. We are all moving on.

 

I set a nice pace on the way to New Brighton Beach. The sun is hot now, so I have to get factor 30 for my lips. They are getting burned. I bought some energy bars because there will be no water or food for the next 37 miles. That’s what happens in this country. One day there is nothing but cafes and shops but then you are into virtual wilderness.

I’m prepared!  So off I go. 

Legs are strong today, spinning away nicely and the miles are clocking down. I soon pass out two of the slower members of the CCCTS group and sail on.

Davenport comes not a minute too soon. Nearly out of water, and hungry. Stop at a cafe and have the big breakfast. two eggs “over medium” (yes, there is something else other than 'over easy') bacon, sausage, a short stack and maple syrup coffee and water. Woofed it down. Have a pee and fill my bottles and on the road again. Into Santa Cruz.

Santa Cruz is a huge city. Sprawls for miles and I am looking for directions in my book, so progress is slow. Once I’m sure I’m on the right track I stop for supplies for the night and head to the New Brighton State Beach and my tent. Showers don’t work but it’s amazing how much you can wash under a cold trickle coming out of a shower head. Down as far as you can. Up as far as you can, and don’t worry about the bit in the middle.

After I am pitched a guy I had met about a week ago rolls in. Nice to see him again. A quick catch-up then its off to bed by 8pm!!! Can you believe it!

 

 

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